ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA MUSEI NATIONALIS PRAGAE
Published 15.viii.2008
Volume 48(1), pp. 67-72
ISSN 0374-1036
A new species of Eulichas (Coleoptera: Eulichadidae)
from Laos
Jiří HÁJEK
Department of Entomology, National Museum, Kunratice 1, CZ-148 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic;
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract. Eulichas pantherina sp. nov. from Laos is described, illustrated and
compared with related species. The new species belongs to the E. pacholatkoi
species complex of the E. funebris species group, and can be distinguished by the
different shape of male genitalia. Eulichas pantherina sp. nov. has a lanceolate
median lobe and parameres with a very small subapical hook moved to the midlength of the paramere. New distributional data are published for the following
species: Eulichas haucki Hájek, 2007, and E. pacholatkoi Jäch, 1995, from Laos,
and E. kubani Hájek, 2007, from Thailand.
Keywords. Coleoptera, Eulichadidae, Eulichas, new species, new records, Oriental
region, Laos, Thailand
Introduction
The small elateriform family Eulichadidae comprises of two extant genera: the monotypic
Californian genus Stenocolus LeConte, 1853, and the predominately Oriental genus Eulichas
Jacobson, 1913, with 30 described and more than 10 undescribed species (JÄCH 1995; HÁJEK
2007, in prep.). The larvae of both genera are aquatic, while the adults live on vegetation
near water, and especially the genus Eulichas is often attracted at light. Eulichas is currently
divided into two subgenera, and the nominotypical subgenus is divided into two species
groups and several species complexes (see HÁJEK 2007).
While finishing the first part of the revision of Eulichas, I received another new species
belonging to the E. pacholatkoi species complex of the E. funebris species group. As I had
no possibility to include the new species into the revision, I describe it here separately along
with new distributional data for two other Eulichas species from Laos and one species from
Thailand. These data increase the number of known species from Laos and Thailand to eight
and four, respectively.
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HÁJEK: A new species of Eulichas (Coleoptera: Eulichadidae) from Laos
Material and methods
In the description, I follow the style used in the first part of my revision (HÁJEK 2007). The
shape of the aedeagus was studied and drawn when dry. The male genitalia were preserved
dry on the same card as the beetle or on a separate card beneath the beetle if it was pinned.
Exact label data are cited for the type material. A forward slash (/) separates different
lines and a double slash (//) divides different labels of data. Additional remarks are found in
square brackets.
The specimens included in this study are deposited in the following collections:
BMNH
HNHM
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM [FORM ER BRITISH MUSEUM ], LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN (MAXWELL V. L. BARCLAY);
HUNGARIAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM [MAGYAR TERM ÉSZETTUDOM ÁNYI MÚZEUM ], BUDAP EST, HUNGARY
(OTTÓ MERKL);
NHMB NATURHISTORISCHES MUSEUM , BASEL, SWITZERLAND (MICHEL BRANCUCCI );
NHMW NATURHISTORISCHES MUSEUM , WIEN, AUSTRIA (MANFRED A. JÄCH);
NKME NATURKUNDEM USEUM ERFURT, GERM ANY (MATTHIAS HARTM ANN);
NMPC NÁRODNÍ M UZEUM , PRAHA, CZECH REP UBLIC (JIŘÍ HÁJEK).
Taxonomy
Eulichas (Eulichas) pantherina sp. nov.
(Figs. 1-3)
Type locality. Laos, Champasak province, Bolovens plateau, Ban Itou, ca. 15°10.4’N 106°05.8’E, ca. 800 m a.s.l.
Type material. H OLOTYPE : , ‘LAOS SOUTH / BOLAVEN PLATEAU / BAN ITOU / 23.-27.5.2007 /
B.MAKOVSKÝ Lgt. [printed]’ // ‘HOLOTYPE / EULICHAS (s. str.) / pantherina sp. nov. / Jiří Hájek det. 2007
[red label, printed]’ (NMPC). PARATYPES: 16 (nos. 1-16) 2 (nos. 17-18), same label data as holotype (1 BMNH, 1 HNHM, 1 NHMW, 1 NKME, rest in NMPC); 3 (nos. 19-21), labelled: ‘LAO-NE, Hua Phan
prov., / ~20°12‘N 104°01‘E, / PHU PHAN Mt., 1500- / 1900 m, 17.v.-3.vi.2007, / M. Brancucci leg. [printed]’ //
‘NHMB Basel, / expedition to / Laos, 2007 [printed]’ (2 NHMB, 1 NMPC). Each paratype is provided with a
red label similar to that of the holotype, except ‛PARATYPE’ instead of ‛HOLOTYPE’, the respective sex symbol,
and a collection number.
Description. Habitus elongate, fusiform. Body coloration dark brown. Setation consisting of
dominant recumbent light brown setae, covering most of dorsal surface (body thus appearing
paler than integument), and grey setae forming ocellations on pronotum and elytra (Fig. 1).
Grey setae predominating over brown ones on abdominal sternites.
Measurements. Body length. Males: 20-27 mm (holotype 21 mm); females: 23-24 mm.
Head punctation consisting of sparse and moderately large setigerous punctures. Antenna
robust, last antennomere ca. 1.85-2.00 times as long as wide (Fig. 3), its ventral side smooth
with numerous small tubercles.
Pronotum strongly transverse, ca. 2.18-2.31 times as wide as long. Sides of variable shape,
in some specimens almost regularly rounded, in others rather subparallel basally. Disc with
two rounded shallow depressions. Punctation consisting of fine and sparse setigerous punctures
on disc, becoming slightly coarser and denser laterally.
Elytra with numerous longitudinal rows of large punctures, and very fine interstitial setigerous punctures.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 48(1), 2008
69
Figs. 1-3. Eulichas pantherina sp. nov. (holotype). 1 – habitus; 2 – aedeagus in dorsal view; 3 – male antennomeres
IX-XI. Scale bar: 1 mm (Figs. 2-3).
Venter finely punctate, punctures sparse medially and becoming larger and denser laterally.
Last abdominal ventrite evenly rounded towards apex.
Male. Aedeagus with phallobase longer than parameres. Parameres simple, apically slightly
widened, their subapical hook very small, almost indistinct, moved basally to midlength of
paramere. Median lobe narrowly lanceolate (Fig. 2).
Female. Similar to male in habitus. Antenna shorter and more slender.
Differential diagnosis. Given the long and slender phallobase, which is distinctly longer than
the parameres, and the long basal parameral apophysis, the new species belongs clearly to
the E. funebris species group sensu JÄCH (1995) and HÁJEK (2007). Furthermore, the enlargement of the parameres behind their midlength and the almost indistinct subapical parameral
hook place this species in the E. pacholatkoi species complex sensu HÁJEK (2007). The new
species resembles E. haucki in habitus, especially by the bicoloured, light brown and grey
body setation. However E. pantherina sp. nov. differs from all other species in the complex
by the small subapical parameral hook moved to the midlength of paramere, and the narrowly
lanceolate median lobe.
Etymology. The species epithet refers to the characteristic elytral ocellation, which is reminiscent of the colour pattern on a panther’s body.
Distribution. So far known only from two localities in southern and north-eastern Laos.
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HÁJEK: A new species of Eulichas (Coleoptera: Eulichadidae) from Laos
New records
Eulichas haucki Hájek, 2007
Material examined. LAOS: 1 , ‘LAOS, Hua Phan Prov., Ban Saluei, Phu Phane Mt., 20°15’N, 104°02’E, 15002000 m, v.2007, local coll. leg.’ (NMPC).
Notes. The species was described from a single specimen from Thailand (Loei province). The
additional specimen from north-eastern Laos agrees in all characters with the holotype and
extends remarkably the known area of distribution of this species. First record from Laos.
Eulichas kubani Hájek, 2007
Material studied. THAILAND: 2 , ‘Thailand, S, Isthmus of Kra, TV-Station Ranong, 9°57’N, 98°38’E, 500 m,
a.IX.2003, leg. native collectors, ex coll. S. Löffler’ (1 NKME, 1 NMPC).
Notes. The species was so far known only from a restricted area in the Annam Highlands on
both sides of the border between Laos and Vietnam. The two specimens from southern Thailand have rather yellowish body setation (greyish in specimens from Laos), but agree well in
all morphological characters with the type material. First record from Thailand.
Eulichas pacholatkoi Jäch, 1995
Material studied. LAOS: 4 1 , ‘Laos, Champasak Prov., Dong Hua Xao NBCA, 2 km S of Ban Nong Luang,
bank of Touay-Guai stream’, ‘15°4’N, 106°13’E, 800 m, at light, No 24, 1-5.IV.1998, leg. O. Merkl & G. Csorba’
(3 1 HNHM, 1 NMPC); 2 1 , ‘Laos south, Bolaven Plateau, Ban Itou, 23.-27.5.2007, B. Makovský
leg.’ (NMPC).
Notes. The species was described originally from southern Vietnam (Da Lat) (JÄCH 1995).
Subsequently, HÁJEK (2007) published additional records of doubtful identification from
central Vietnam (Pleiku). The specimens from Laos reveal that E. pacholatkoi represents a
species with a rather variable habitus and body setation; the latter varies from light to dark
brown and from grey-whitish to yellowish. First record from Laos.
Modified key to the E. pacholatkoi species complex
Numbers with asterisk (*) refer to figures in HÁJEK (2007). Passages in bold type are newly
inserted or changed parts of the key to species in HÁJEK (2007).
4.
–
9.
–
Parameres almost parallel sided, their subapical hook well developed. Median lobe
narrowly lanceolate. E. funebris species complex ..................................................... 5
Parameres slightly widened behind middle, their subapical hook very small or reduced
to an indistinct angle (Figs. 24*-26*). Median lobe very narrow, almost parallel sided,
or narrowly lanceolate. E. pacholatkoi species complex ........................................ 9
…
Subapical parameral hook very small and moved to midlength of paramere (Fig.
2). Median lobe narrowly lanceolate. Laos. ......................... E. pantherina sp. nov.
Subapical parameral hook distinct, indistinct or reduced to an obtuse angle, but
never moved medially ............................................................................................. 9a
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 48(1), 2008
9a.
–
10.
–
71
Parameres contracted before midlength, their subapical hook very small but distinct
(Fig. 24*). Laos and Thailand. ................................................. E. haucki Hájek, 2007
Parameres not contracted near midlength, their subapical hook indistinct or reduced to
an obtuse angle. ......................................................................................................... 10
Subapical parameral hook almost indistinct (Fig. 26*). Habitus elongate, body setation
varying from light to dark brown and from grey-whitish to yellowish. Southern
Laos and Vietnam. .............................................................. E. pacholatkoi Jäch, 1995
Subapical parameral hook reduced to an indistinct angle (Fig. 25*). Habitus more
convex, body setation blackish and greyish or yellowish. Central Laos, Vietnam, and
southern Thailand. .................................................................. E. kubani Hájek, 2007
Discussion
The discovery of a new Eulichas species in Laos poses additional questions on the zoogeography and bionomics of the group rather than on its taxonomy.
First, my initial idea of high endemism and restricted distributional areas of Eulichas species now appears incorrect as it has been probably only a result of a limited knowledge of the
distribution of the family. The best example contradicting the initial hypothesis seems to be the
finding of E. kubani in a mountain range that lies in southern Thailand about 1,000 km away
from the type locality in the Annam Highlands. In addition, the discovery of E. pantherina
sp. nov. at two localities about 600 km apart and the finding of E. haucki at a locality more
than 400 km away from the type locality support the hypothesis of fragmented distribution
in isolated patches of primary forest within a large area.
Second, several Eulichas species live together at most localities. Eulichas pantherina sp.
nov. was at both localities collected together with E. (Forficulichas) phoca (Bourgeois, 1891);
in addition, E. pacholatkoi was also collected at the locality of ‘Ban Itou’, while E. haucki was
also found at the locality of ‘Hua Phan’. The most speciose locality is probably ‘Tanah Rata’
in the Cameron Highland, Malaysia, where seven Eulichas species live together (J. HÁJEK,
unpublished data). An interesting hypothesis which unfortunately cannot be supported or
refuted by the present data, based only on adults from light traps, is that the larvae of each
species inhabit different microhabitats or parts of streams and rivers at these localities.
Finally, all Eulichas species from ‘Ban Itou’ and ‘Hua Phan’ are very similar to each other
in body setation, which agrees with my previous suggestion of possible mimetic complexes
(HÁJEK 2007). However the purpose of such potential mimetism remains unknown.
Acknowledgements
I am obliged to Ottó Merkl for the loan of Eulichas material from HNHM and to Pavel
Sláma (Nové Hrady, Czech Republic) for drawings. I am also grateful to David S. Boukal
(Bergen, Norway) and Manfred A. Jäch (NHMW) for their help and valuable comments on
the manuscript. The present study was partly supported by the Ministry of Culture of the
Czech Republic (grant MK00002327201).
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HÁJEK: A new species of Eulichas (Coleoptera: Eulichadidae) from Laos
References
HÁJEK J. 2007: Revision of the genus Eulichas Jacobson, 1913 (Coleoptera: Eulichadidae) I. Introduction, morphology of adults, key to subgenera and species groups, and taxonomy of E. funebris species group. Zootaxa
1260: 1-35.
JÄCH M. A. 1995: Eulichadidae: Synopsis of the species of the genus Eulichas Jacobson from China, Laos and
Vietnam (Coleoptera). Pp. 359-388. In: JÄCH M. A. & JI L. (eds.): Water Beetles of China. Vol. 1. ZoologischBotanische Gesellschaft in Österreich and Wiener Coleopterologenverein, Wien, 410 pp.